Terror detainees win Lords appeal

Detaining foreign terrorist suspects without trial breaks human rights laws, the UK's highest court has ruled in a ruling issued 16 December 2004. In a blow to the UK government's anti-terror measures, the House of Lords ruled by an eight to one majority in favour of appeals by nine detainees. The Law Lords said the measures were incompatible with European human rights laws, but Home Secretary Charles Clarke said the men would remain in prison.

• Primary Source

United Kingdom: House of Lords: Judgments : A (FC) and others (FC) (Appellants) v. Secretary of State for the Home Department (Respondent). X (FC) and another (FC) (Appellants) v. Secretary of State for the Home Department (Respondent), 16.12.04 http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200405/ldjudgmt/jd041216/a&others.pdf

United Kingdom: Home Office: Terrorism http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/terrorism/index.html

BBC News: UK on terror alert portal http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/uk/2003/uk_on_terror_alert/default.stm

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